The story of GOD who became man

The story of GOD who became man — Paniya (PCGDMK)

Overview

The Paniya are a tribal people who reside in the Gudalur region at the junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Their communities are found in areas including Wayanad, Mudumalai, Coorg, Pattavayal, Pandalur, Ayyangolli, and the Gudalur tea estates. Traditional Paniya homes were built from mud, bamboo, and wooden planks with grass roofs, reflecting a close relationship with the surrounding Western Ghats forest environment. The community has its own distinct language, Paniya (also spelled Paniyan), belonging to the Dravidian family.

This 2008 publication, titled “The story of GOD who became man” (vernacular title: “Daivam Manchanayothe Katha”), is a scripture portion produced for the Paniya community. Its format — a narrative account of the life of Jesus — is suited to a community with strong oral and storytelling traditions. IBT India has been active in producing scripture resources for tribal communities in the Western Ghats region, including this Paniya resource.

Language and People

Paniya (ISO 639-3: pcg) is a Dravidian language spoken in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, India. The community is estimated to number in the tens of thousands across the Western Ghats tribal belt.

Publishing and Organizations

Published 2008, India.

References